ADDIS ABABA–The United States government has reportedly donated the latest body scanner device to Ethiopian Airlines, making it the first African carrier to receive such equipment.

The device, worth about 1.5 million US dollars, will enhance the safety and security of passengers, according to the US Ambassador to Ethiopia, Michael Raynor, who says the new technology is the first deployment in Africa and will enhance Ethiopian Airlines’ ability to detect not only potential hazardous items but contraband items such as drugs and illicit wild animal products.

Today we’re celebrating the installation of state-of-the-art equipment that will enhance the safety of millions of travellers who either visit Ethiopia or transit this important hub every year, he said here Monday.

The airline’s rapid growth comes with enormous benefit in terms of trade, tourism and investment opportunities not just for Ethiopia but in the US and beyond, Raynor elaborated. This growing connectivity opens a door for prosperity because we all know that we can’t have sustainable prosperity without security, he added.

Ethiopian Airlines’ Group Chief Executive Officer, Tewolde Gebremariam, said the new device will facilitate the security screening of baggage and passengers. He added that Ethiopian Airlines had been very safe in terms of security with the support of the US Transportation Security Administration and the national security agency of Ethiopia.